The Tools Everyone Loves Might Not Be Right for You

Every programmer has a few favorite tools they’d hate to uninstall.

But here’s the thing about tools: they’re like relationships. The most popular one isn’t always the right fit, and even a perfect fit can grow apart over time.

Looking back, I realized I was clinging to several tools purely out of habit, not because I truly needed them. You might not believe it, but after switching them out, I code faster, I’m more focused, and I think my hair even got a little thicker.

A quick disclaimer: This isn’t a hit piece. I’m just sharing my personal experiences and some hidden gems I’ve found. Maybe it’ll help you discover something new.

---

1. From MAMP to ServBay

Back when I was new to Mac development, MAMP was the undisputed king for beginners. A one-click bundle for Apache, MySQL, and PHP with a graphical interface — what’s not to love? But as my projects grew more complex, MAMP started to feel inadequate.

Switching PHP versions was a gamble, config files were buried in obscure places, and support for different versions was limited unless you paid. Want to add Redis? Good luck. I just wanted to code locally, not become a full-time DevOps engineer."

My New Favorite: ServBay

l
ServBay is a modern local development environment that recently added Windows support alongside its Mac version. Now, when I need an environment, I just download it like an app. It supports Python, Java, Go, Node.js, PHP, Rust, Ruby, .NET, and more.

Why is it better?

• True Multi-Version Coexistence: I can run PHP 8.3, 8.2, and 7.4 simultaneously. Each version is isolated, and I can switch between them for different projects in a second without any conflicts.
• An All-in-One Toolbox: Beyond PHP, it has built-in support for Node.js, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Redis, Memcached, and other essential services. I can turn them on and off as needed.

• Full-Lifecycle Support: ServBay handles SSL certificates for that secure "green lock" during development, includes a mail server, and even supports tunneling for sharing my local work. No more frantic "send me a link" requests from the boss.
• Automatic Backups: As someone who always forgets to back up manually, this is a lifesaver. ServBay offers automatic backups, so I no longer worry about losing progress due to a power outage or system crash.

2. From Postman to Bruno

There was a time when Postman was the undisputed champion of API debugging. But like many great tools, it got bloated. I just wanted to send a simple request, but first, I had to endure a long startup, a mandatory login, and syncing with a cloud account.

When Postman started using more memory than my IDE, I knew it was time to say goodbye.

My New Favorite: Bruno

An open-source, lightweight, and Git-centric API client.

Why is it better?

• Git-Native by Design: All API requests are saved as plain text files (.bru) in my project folder. I can manage, collaborate, and code review APIs directly with Git. It’s a dream come true.
• Pure and Fast: No forced logins, no cloud-syncing overhead. It starts instantly and responds quickly.
• Focused on the Core Task: It does one thing—API testing—and does it exceptionally well. It has none of the fluff I don't need.

3. From Codeium to Cursor

AI coding assistants are standard now. Codeium, as a free and powerful VS Code plugin, was helpful. But I always felt like it didn't truly understand me or my project's context.

My New Favorite: Cursor

There probably aren't many who haven't heard of Cursor. It's a code editor built for AI, or rather, it is an AI.

Why is it better?

• AI as the Soul, Not an Add-on: In Cursor, AI isn't just a sidebar chatbot. It’s integrated into the entire editing experience. You can directly @ your entire codebase, a specific file, or documentation, allowing the AI to converse with full context.
• Intelligent, Targeted Refactoring: Select a block of code, tell it what you want in plain English, and it generates a code diff that you can apply with one click. It feels like pair programming with a senior architect.
• From Tool to Teammate: Cursor has changed how I collaborate with AI. It’s no longer just an autocomplete tool; it’s a partner that helps me tackle complex requirements and refactor messy code.

4. From Notion to Obsidian

To be fair, Notion is a great tool. But when I greedily tried to use it for everything, it became a beautiful but fragile vase.

The killer issue was its near-zero offline experience. No internet = no brain. I needed a tool that was truly mine, ran locally, was Markdown-native, and could connect my technical knowledge.

My New Favorite: Obsidian

A second brain built on local Markdown files.

Why is it better?

• Your Data, Your Control: All notes are local .md files. This gives me an incredible sense of security. I can manage them with Git, open them in any editor—they are forever mine.
• Speed is a Given: Because it's local, searching, linking, and editing are all silky smooth.
• A "Vineyard" of Knowledge: The powerful bi-directional linking and graph view help me connect scattered notes, discover unexpected relationships, and truly internalize knowledge.
• A Customizable Plugin Ecosystem: You can shape it into whatever you need, from a minimalist notebook to a complex personal knowledge management system.

5. From VS Code to Sublime Text

Yes, you read that right. I "downgraded" from the universe's number-one editor. And honestly, VS Code's ecosystem is second to none.

But I used to love installing plugins: linters, formatters, themes, Git tools, productivity hacks... Eventually, my VS Code became slow to start and sluggish to respond. I felt like the editor was using me. So, it's not that VS Code is bad; it's that I was no longer a good fit for it.

My New Favorite: Sublime Text

A return to simplicity, speed, and passion.

Why is it better?

• Speed is a Religion: Startup speed, opening massive files, search speed... Sublime Text is still unrivaled. Once you experience this level of fluidity, there's no going back.
• An Unmatched Editing Experience: Core features like multiple cursors and "Goto Anything" are still best-in-class, letting you focus purely on the text.
• Forced Minimalism: I only installed a handful of essential plugins. This stopped me from endlessly tinkering with my tools and helped me get back into a state of flow with my code.

---

The Epiphany

Looking back, I see a pattern: Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

The more simple, focused, and local my tools are, the smoother my workflow becomes. I finally understood that what feels comfortable isn't always what's most efficient. The most "powerful" tools often come at the cost of your focus and performance.

Before You Switch Tools

Ask yourself a few questions:

1. Do I use this tool daily, or is it just a mascot on my dock?
2. Is it genuinely making me faster, or is it just creating the illusion of productivity?
3. Is there a lighter, more focused alternative?

Of course, you don’t have to switch everything overnight. Just like we refactor code, periodically review your toolkit. When a tool becomes bloated and gets in your way, it's time to let it go.

In the End

Tools are static, but people are dynamic. Your toolkit should help you conquer challenges, not become a burden on your journey.

So, let's talk. Is there a tool you're unhappy with but haven't switched because of habit?